Mountain to Molehills: ‘No surprise’

Published: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 7:04 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 7:04 a.m.

John Albree of Columbus is shaking his head, wondering what has happened to patriotism among athletes. “I watched the opening ceremony before the start of the Dallas Cowboys-Washington Redskins football game, and the national anthem was sung very nicely by a young female along with an orchestra. The coverage showed former President George W. Bush and his wife rendering the proper honors with the right hand placed over the heart. The coverage also switched to U.S. Army Airborne soldiers live in Afghanistan and standing at attention. And what do you think the vast majority of the players were doing? To my great disappointment but no surprise, they stood with their hands at their sides or folded and displaying little or no respect for what was happening,” grouses Mr. Albree. “The crowd was almost universally showing proper respect, and many were singing the words. Maybe it’s my age showing, but I cannot understand why patriotism is such a lost part of our respect for the United States of America. The local folks in Polk County do far better before each home football game.”

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‘BETTER TIMES AHEAD’: Denise Quisenberry of Hendersonville is convinced her life will be better under the leadership of President Barack Obama over the next four years. “We do expect better times ahead, particularly for women and single parents who need the assistance he is pushing for,” she says. “These struggling families need help to get back on their feet. I also think his wife is doing some excellent things, especially her efforts to improve education. Heck, I would have voted for her for president.” Just as thrilled about the election outcome is her 6-year-old daughter, Deborah, who participated in a straw poll at school. “When she heard Obama won, she screamed,” says Mom. “She was thrilled because she had voted for him at school.”

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WHAT’S FOR DINNER?: Marilyn Broadbent of Hendersonville recommends a trip to The Homestead restaurant in Horse Shoe. “We were very pleased with our meal and will go again,” she says. “They don’t have a really big menu, but the quality of the food is excellent. My husband had the crab cakes and said they were delicious. A friend recommended the place to us, and it was great.”

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THAT’LL FIX HIM: A 13-year-old came home with a Porsche, and his parents had plenty of questions. “Where did you get that car?” the dad asked. The youngster said, “I bought it” “With what money?” demanded his mom. “We know what a Porsche costs.” “Well,” said the boy, “this one cost me $15.” “Who would sell a car like that for $15?” asked the dad. “It was the lady up the street,” said the boy. “I don’t know her name. They just moved in. She saw me ride past on my bicycle and asked me whether I wanted to buy a Porsche for $15.” “Oh, no,” cried the mom, who then instructed her husband to visit the neighbor and learn her motive. The boy’s dad walked up the street to where the lady lived and found her out in the yard. He introduced himself as the dad of the boy to whom she had sold a Porsche for $15 and demanded to know why. “Well,” she said, “this morning I received a telephone call from my husband. I thought he was on a business trip, but it seems he ran off to Brazil with his secretary and doesn’t intend to come back. He asked me to sell his new Porsche and send him the money. I did.”

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LAST BUT NOT LEAST: The community is invited to St. Luke’s Hospital at 3:30 p.m. Thursday for the groundbreaking and reception to mark the beginning of a $5.6 million construction project that will feature enlarged patient rooms, a state-of the-art gym for physical rehabilitation, a new nurses’ station and a large, comfortable room for family time. Following the program, food and beverages will be offered.

<p>John Albree of Columbus is shaking his head, wondering what has happened to patriotism among athletes. “I watched the opening ceremony before the start of the Dallas Cowboys-Washington Redskins football game, and the national anthem was sung very nicely by a young female along with an orchestra. The coverage showed former President George W. Bush and his wife rendering the proper honors with the right hand placed over the heart. The coverage also switched to U.S. Army Airborne soldiers live in Afghanistan and standing at attention. And what do you think the vast majority of the players were doing? To my great disappointment but no surprise, they stood with their hands at their sides or folded and displaying little or no respect for what was happening,” grouses Mr. Albree. “The crowd was almost universally showing proper respect, and many were singing the words. Maybe it's my age showing, but I cannot understand why patriotism is such a lost part of our respect for the United States of America. The local folks in Polk County do far better before each home football game.”</p><p>◆</p><p>'BETTER TIMES AHEAD': Denise Quisenberry of Hendersonville is convinced her life will be better under the leadership of President Barack Obama over the next four years. “We do expect better times ahead, particularly for women and single parents who need the assistance he is pushing for,” she says. “These struggling families need help to get back on their feet. I also think his wife is doing some excellent things, especially her efforts to improve education. Heck, I would have voted for her for president.” Just as thrilled about the election outcome is her 6-year-old daughter, Deborah, who participated in a straw poll at school. “When she heard Obama won, she screamed,” says Mom. “She was thrilled because she had voted for him at school.”</p><p>◆</p><p>WHAT'S FOR DINNER?: Marilyn Broadbent of Hendersonville recommends a trip to The Homestead restaurant in Horse Shoe. “We were very pleased with our meal and will go again,” she says. “They don't have a really big menu, but the quality of the food is excellent. My husband had the crab cakes and said they were delicious. A friend recommended the place to us, and it was great.”</p><p>◆</p><p>THAT'LL FIX HIM: A 13-year-old came home with a Porsche, and his parents had plenty of questions. “Where did you get that car?” the dad asked. The youngster said, “I bought it” “With what money?” demanded his mom. “We know what a Porsche costs.” “Well,” said the boy, “this one cost me $15.” “Who would sell a car like that for $15?” asked the dad. “It was the lady up the street,” said the boy. “I don't know her name. They just moved in. She saw me ride past on my bicycle and asked me whether I wanted to buy a Porsche for $15.” “Oh, no,” cried the mom, who then instructed her husband to visit the neighbor and learn her motive. The boy's dad walked up the street to where the lady lived and found her out in the yard. He introduced himself as the dad of the boy to whom she had sold a Porsche for $15 and demanded to know why. “Well,” she said, “this morning I received a telephone call from my husband. I thought he was on a business trip, but it seems he ran off to Brazil with his secretary and doesn't intend to come back. He asked me to sell his new Porsche and send him the money. I did.”</p><p>◆</p><p>LAST BUT NOT LEAST: The community is invited to St. Luke's Hospital at 3:30 p.m. Thursday for the groundbreaking and reception to mark the beginning of a $5.6 million construction project that will feature enlarged patient rooms, a state-of the-art gym for physical rehabilitation, a new nurses' station and a large, comfortable room for family time. Following the program, food and beverages will be offered.</p><p>Reach Lou Parris at 828-694-7836 or molehills@blueridgenow.com.</p>